FOREST CONDITIONS OF MISSISSIPPI. 67 



these States have recently created the office of State For- 

 ester. Many States now employ trained foresters, some 

 of these being the naturally treeless States where forest 

 planting and the better management of farm woodlots are 

 important. 



There is probably no State where a trained forester is 

 more needed than in Mississippi. The expense of main- 

 taining this office would be small compared with the bene- 

 fit to the people of the State through education in forest 

 economy and through the better enforcement of the for- 

 est laws. 



His chief duties would be as follows: 



1. To carry on an educational campaign through cor- 

 respondence, the publication of forestry literature of inter- 

 est in the State, and lectures before farmers' institutes, 

 various societies, lumber and other manufacturers' asso- 

 ciations and schools and colleges. 



2. As Chief Forest Firewarden, to superintend the 

 work of the forest firewardens and deputy forest fire- 

 wardens in each county. 



3 . To co-operate with timber land owners in the pre- 

 paration of plans for the management, protection and 

 replacement of tree growth in so far as other duties will 

 permit. 



4. To examine and report upon land given to the 

 State by individuals for State forests. 



5. To examine and report upon lands which have 

 reverted to the State for non-payment of taxes, in order to 

 ascertain the practicability of managing them as State 

 forests. 



6. To examine school lands and college grants, and 

 to manage conservatively the portions best suited for for- 

 est growth. 



7. To recommend the purchase of tracts of absolute 

 forest land in various parts of the State for State forests, 

 and to manage such tracts when purchased. 



8. To examine and make expert studies relative to 

 State forest conditions and to conduct experimental inves- 

 tigations pertinent to forestry. 



